America’s Vanishing Cattle Herd Drives 15% Price Hikes for Beef
The U.S. cattle herd has shrunk to its lowest level in 75 years at 86.2 million head as of January 1, 2026, continuing an eight-year contraction driven by prolonged drought, high production costs, and rancher decisions to liquidate rather than expand. This tight supply has collided with resilient consumer demand, pushing retail beef prices up … Read more